Sleek and cool is a great look in South Florida and an exceptional look when it comes to the Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach. My first priority in South Florida is always the beach so being located directly by the water was my first priority when searching for a hotel. With a prime time location right off the Intercostal the Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach provides easy access to shopping, restaurants, the airport and freeway and most importantly the beach.

Upon arriving from our drive from Orlando I wanted to catch the last remaining hours of fun in the sun beach time that I could. This is a great example of where it pays to join the hotel’s loyalty program. These programs are usually free and come with some great bonus features such as upgrades, early check in and free drinks. With the Sonesta Travel Pass I was able to capitalize on two at the hotel so while other guests where in a room holding pattern. Quickly I headed up to my room and was pleasantly surprised at the great view of the ocean from the room. The lobby and rooms offer a modern vide and don’t give you the old South Florida switcharoo where the lobby is amazing and the room falls short of the high expectations set. With a quick pit stop in our lovely room we headed to the beach which was just across the street.

The fact that I love luxury hotels is no secret and the Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach showcased why the little things matter so much in this distinction. Having fruit infused water waiting on you are a great poolside bar serving up cocktails are just some of the features that really define value for me in a high end property. In between beach fun and trips to Las Olas I found the location and vibe of the hotel great for a weekend getaway and a perfect home base for exploring Fort Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale, while often overlooked for its flashier cousin Miami, is a great place to visit in South Florida. Much of the things people treasure are found in Fort Lauderdale, beautiful beaches, great shopping, and a pletera of party options are all found in the 45 minute trek up from South Beach. In my year of living in Miami I grew to love Fort Lauderdale as a smaller, less expensive, and more convenient alternative to Miami Beach fun. As I travelled back with kids in tow on a quick summer get away I found these endearing features to still be true for Fort Lauderdale.

One of the biggest attractions people look for when travelling to South Florida is the beach. With fairly easy parking access to great beaches and a ton of beach shopping and restaurant options the Fort Lauderdale beach is a great option when traveling with families. A1A is a long strip so just driving along it can give you clues to the location that is perfect for you. I like locations that are close to beach rentals so if you need a chair or some beach entertainment the option is close by.

The fun of Fort Lauderdale doesn’t just stop at the beach though. The clubs and restaurants in Fort Lauderdale are simply amazing. Areas like Las Olas offer a centrally located one stop shop for anything you could want to get into. No matter if it is a bar hopping night or you are ready for a dance party or just want to enjoy a great meal and people watch Las Olas is a great option. Within 5 or 6 blocks Fort Lauderdale knows how to pack a punch of fun giving you a range of options and prices. What I love most about the configuration is that changing the scene is not a big ordeal, you can go from country, to hip hop, to jazz and perhaps even a little salsa by blowing like the wind through the Fort Lauderdale streets. So if you want a taste of South Florida living without the super busy hustle and bustle of Miami Fort Lauderdale is a great travel destination for grown up and family fun.